PERNEM
Heavy rains did not deter taxi operators from continuing their protest for the third day in Pernem on Saturday, as they pushed for their demands at the Manohar International Airport at Mopa.
Despite demands from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who met a delegation of taxi operators late Saturday evening, to call off the strike as another round of talks would be convened on Monday, the taxi operators went ahead with their agitation on Saturday.
Former Mandrem sarpanch Advocate Amit Sawan, who has been one of the leaders of the agitation, said the agitation of the taxi operators had received support from across the State.
“The grievances of taxi operators at Mopa airport are being highlighted and there is widespread agreement on the need to resolve this issue,” said Adv Sawant.
“Taxi operators are united in their agitation and even the rains on Saturday did not stop the taxi operators from continuing with their agitation.”
“We hope the chief minister will be considerate and empathetic to their grievances and resolve the issues by Sunday instead of waiting till Monday.”
A delegation of taxi operators had met the chief minister late Friday evening and after being told that the issue would be resolved by Monday afternoon, the delegation returned to the protest site in Pernem.
The delegation then met the protesting taxi operators and updated the on the developments. The taxi operators, however, decided to continue their protest till their demands are met.
Claiming that other taxi counters at the airport have been affecting their business, some of the demands put forth by the protesting taxi operators include a free tourist taxi counter for local operators, reduction in parking fees, scrapping of toll on the Airport Link Road and removal of the counter for the GoaMiles app-based aggregator.
